The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC bus drivers in Grand Bahama are upset about the long delay in getting their annual business licences from the government after putting in applications, some over three months ago.

Timothy Nottage, president of the GB Public Bus Union, said that drivers will have to park their buses if they do not get their documents by the end of the month in order to licence their vehicles at the Road Traffic Department.

“Half of the 120 bus drivers have not received their business licence yet,” complained Mr Nottage, who noted that applications have been in since February and March. “It is taking a long time ... and up to now we have gotten no answer back from the government concerning our business licence.”

Mr Nottage noted that the process was much quicker prior to a change in January which now requires that applications be processed in Nassau and no longer in Freeport.

“Last year we would get our licence in two days, but now it’s taking us three months to get it,” he said. “When we enquire about our licence they tell us their hands are tied and that they can’t do anything because they have to wait to hear back from Nassau.”

Mr Nottage is calling for the processing of applications to be handled in Freeport.

David Jones, president of the Grand Bahama Taxi Union, supports the drivers and said taxi drivers are also being affected by the new changes concerning business licences. “The government implemented this new system in January, and it is hard on us already and they are charging $100 late fee if you do not apply in January,” he said. “They are adding $100 late fee on these common people.”

Mr Jones said that is unfair when some drivers have been waiting since January for their documents. “They have to feed their families and we demand that the minister address the problem. Yes we understand the system and what they are doing, but … these delays are affecting people’s livelihood and it is a serious issue and we are demanding from the government better results.”

The taxi president is calling for a waiver of the late fee because of the long delay. “We want our documents to licence our vehicles so we can take care of our families,” he said.

Bus driver Janette Lettice said she is making loan payments on a brand new bus. “I have a family to feed; I have a brand new bus I am paying for … how am I going to make payments if I park my bus?”

Ms Lettice complained that she has called numerous times to enquire about her business licence and has sent many emails, but has yet to receive a response.

“You have to plead and beg – I need help please, I need my (business licence), I have to eat. It is unfair to us, and they don’t tell us anything,” she said.

Ms Lettice said they were never given a timeframe of when their licences would be granted when the new changes were made in January.